What the Funk!? GABF 2016

They seemed to have listened to all the suggestions, FWIW. (except addressing how they handle volunteers pouring/drinking)

- No VIP so no mess regarding beer running out on entry (pending volunteers)
- Pre-screening for easier entry
- More open space (best space has always been when it was at EXDO)
- Less people (-25%)
- Easier access to restrooms (EXDO has more accommodations)

And a great brewery list again. We'll see who sticks to their guns and boycotts this one.

 

Guns are stuck, not a chance on earth I will be attending. It's too little, too late as far as I am concerned. Right now it's all talk and these issues weren't even addressed until almost a full year after last year's fiasco.

 

I hope this event is the best one yet and everyone has an absolute blast, but I'm still not going. I already threw down on an extra set of GABF tickets just because it's a known quantity. If this event kicks ass, I'll re-think it next year.

 

I won't be going primarily because we're doing a training that night for brewers. $100 is a bit steep, though.

 

They can't actually do anything about it until the next event which is in October. Yes, they could have acknowledged the mistakes earlier. But it does seem that they have addressed it, see my points above, those changes alone are not 'talk' but actual changes as it seems they've booked the venue and tickets go on sale in <1 week. What we don't know is how they will handle the volunteers, and that unfortunately is something no one will know until they open the doors.

FWIW, it's $20 cheaper than Rare Beer ($115 for 3 hours vs. $100 for WtF for 4 hours) and also a charity fundraiser (raised $26,000 for charity last year people forget) and brewery list IMO is much better and this includes food as well.

I'm not really trying to persuade anyone either way, just playing devil's advocate like I usually do.

 

True dat. Rare Beer is also charity and those beers are, well, rare.
I mentioned years ago that I was worried about Rare Beer prices increasing when it was something like $60. Some called me stupid

I think with WtF the $100 also pays for a risk: we don't know what is in store after last year. I think this is biggest reason why it's "steep". Plus, there's a cider in there!!

 

Acknowledging the massive failure of last year should have been their first priority immediately after it happened. Instead, CSA chose to ignore every single comment/tag/message relating to WtF for nearly a year. Even now, it is a blanket statement attached to a marketing spiel designed to sell tickets for the next event. If they really gave a shit, they would reach out to all of last year's attendees directly with this announcement and offer some type of discount or VIP for the year's. Even still though, too little, too late. Fuck that event.

 

Good analogy.

What's a "cider"?

 

It's not all sour grapes for me. I hope it's a huge success and the people who go have a great time. My priorities/interests have shifted and I'd just rather spend $100 on a couple cases of local cans than going to a festival that gives me indigestion and heart burn for the right to drink 2 oz. of something.

I don't wish WTF 2015 on anyone. It was a nightmare. I hope they've figured it out.

 

Feel how you need to feel but just remember that CSA is different from crooked stave. Stop blaming CSA for the wtf disaster.

 

I just want a fucking apology... Hey Chad? I don't know you. but...you've admitted last years even was fucked and a piece of shit, without really saying it though

How about just a simple "I'm sorry I let this happen on all levels. It was my fault, and I apologize. 2016 will be better".... Jesus, that would go a long way towards mending things, at least in my book...

I don't forget...If ever for some reason do, I remember my drunken, but so fucking unbelievably accurate rant.... just replace "brewers" with "volunteers" and my drunken rant was 100% accurate...

https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...turn-for-gabf-2015.314345/page-5#post-4095138


HEY CHAD YAKOBSON... ALL I WANT IS A FUCKING APOLOGY..... WTF 2015 WAS THE WORST BEER EVENT I'VE EVER ATTENDED.... A SIMPLE I'M SORRY WOULD DO... NOT ALL THIS WISHY-WASHY BULLSHIT..

MAN UP... STOP HIDING...

CHRIST....

 

Are you kidding? Chad Yakobson owns both companies and the only reason there is a CSA is to import and distribute the vast number of beers they distribute. If they only distributed their own beer, like they did in the beginning, they would only need the one company. Crooked Stave.

 

I'm fully aware of the company structure. CSA isn't an event planning business.

 

I certainly have some blame for Imbibe, but many of the major Fuck Ups were decided months before Imbibe was chosen to come on board. Like what @Kramerbarthomer has said, all CS/CSA, more importantly Chad Yakobson, had to do was come out after last years Cluster Fuck and Apologize. Simple. Most of us would have moved on, but when they only mentioned it, in passing, in the press to announce WTF 2016 and sell out the event, that doesn't fly with us.

 

I have learned over the years, the best way to show a business/brewery if you are satisfied is with your pocketbook. I know that is an old adage, but it is that Simple. I, along with others, are doing that this year and Choosing not to attend WTF. I could have avoided all the GABF related events and stayed home, but I really like this community and like others chose to support Rare Beer instead.

 

And the best way for a business to "apologize" is to get it right the next time. Hopefully they do and maybe I'll be back in 2017. But WTF (pun intended) is up with having this on Tuesday. I guess it you want it to be locals only that's cool. But if you're going to have the event during GABF week, I would certainly appreciate them doing it later in the week like they did 2 years ago...

 

There were three problems with WtF last year and why people are mad:
- The event was less than stellar
- There was no apology
Those two are obvious. What adds salt to the wounds is #3:
- The secrecy behind who was responsible. Imbibe said they just handled tickets. CS and CSA are separate. CSA isn't an event planning business. Well, who they heck is responsible?

 

They're not having any volunteers at this years festival — only breweries will staff it according to this DP story: http://www.denverpost.com/2016/08/19/what-the-funk-beer-festival-makes-big-changes-for-2016-event/

The last time it was at EXDO it was pretty fun and well-organized...

 

All of the issues from last year were fixable. I think it was a matter of no head on the horse and trying (or being forced to) cut corners/save $'s. They could try to duplicate every detail of the the October 2014 event and that would make most people really happy. It wasn't perfect, but it was still more than good enough.